The Province of BC, the City of Vancouver, the BC Non-Profit Housing Association and the Pembina Institute, are working together on a home-safe initiative called the Reframed Lab.
Leaders in social housing and retrofits attend an Affordable Housing Renewal workshop hosted by the Pembina Institute. Photo: Stephen Hui, Pembina Institute
The pilot program aims to advance innovation in building retrofits on up to five multi-unit residential buildings in order to make existing housing more resilient to climate change and earthquakes.
“The way our homes are built has a direct impact on our health and well-being, and the environment,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That’s why it’s so important we work together to find new ways to make buildings work better. This partnership will help us take significant action on climate change, while protecting and improving the safe and affordable homes that people need.” While new homes in B.C. must be built to high health, safety and environmental standards, the Pembina Institute states that there are significant opportunities to make existing buildings better places to live and reduce the energy they use.
This summer, BC Housing will issue a request for proposals for partners to join the Reframed Lab. Partners from all corners of the construction sector, including architects, contractors, engineers and manufacturers, will come together to integrate ways to retrofit existi...